Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, is gearing up to attend the upcoming G20 summit scheduled for the upcoming weekend in New Delhi. The Nigerian presidency has also announced its consideration of applying for membership in this influential group of nations.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who assumed office in May, has expressed his intention to participate in the summit hosted by India. Key topics on the agenda include trade, the global economy, climate change, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale stated on Sunday that Nigeria aspired to join the G20. However, he noted that ongoing discussions within the government would assess the potential benefits for the country. Ngelale explained, “When the consultations are completed, the government will decide whether or not it is appropriate for the country to apply. The President’s participation in the G20 summit in India is part of this objective.”
President Bola Tinubu’s presence at the 18th G20 summit comes at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the event, he is set to engage in a round-table discussion with business leaders and industrialists from both India and Nigeria.
In addition to the summit, President Tinubu and his ministers plan to hold bilateral talks aimed at attracting foreign investment to Nigeria, a prominent oil-producing nation on the African continent. Since taking office, Tinubu has initiated a series of economic reforms designed to rejuvenate the Nigerian economy and enhance its appeal to international investors.
The G20 is a forum that convenes the world’s largest economies, comprising 19 individual countries and the European Union. Collectively, these nations account for 85% of global GDP and represent two-thirds of the world’s population.
